Pakistan asks G8 leaders to help ease tension with India

Pakistan's special envoy to Japan, Najmuddin Shaikh, in his 25-minute talks with the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Monday asked the G-8 (Group of Eight) countries to help his country ease tensions with India.

An agency report quoting a Japanese foreign ministry official said the request was made to Koizumi as he is attending the G-8 conference to be held in Canada on June 26 and June 27.

The Japanese prime minister reportedly told Shaikh that both India and Pakistan should exercise restraint.